How well that matches what we have been discussing Fr. Simon. It reinforces the view that we are all in this together/ We are, after all, a priestly people, and it may be that both priests and laity can misunderstand what this means.

As much as the 'man in black' can assume certains rights and prerogatives as part of his position, the laity can lay them on him because of the mistaken belief that he is the full-time professional. I don't know how far this stems from the Anglican background of some of us, but there are enough former evangelicals here for them to have a more presbyterian model in mind.

I am struck, watching my son in his first Church, by how much the laity leave him free to do what he has the time to do, which is to preach the word of God. He spends days on his sermons and days visiting his flock and preaching; the elders manage the finances. There is a real cooperation between them. Talking to them, they clearly like the fact that unlike his predecessor, my son does not think he ought to be in charge of everything.

Your talk, like Fr. G's post, reminds us of our joint responsibility, and speaks to what it is we understand by the word 'Church'.

I was struck, a couple of years ago, when Abba Seraphim had a work day at St. Felix, by how it brought us all together as a family. We all did our 'bit' and it not only got done, it was fun; isn't that a model? After all, if we do not get joy in our relationship with the Risen Lord, what is it we are getting?

In Christ,

John

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)